Right there is where I'm planted

Scripture

Psalm 1: 1-3 “Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law

of the LORD, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they

do”.

 

Observation

Advice seems to come from everywhere. Everyone is an expert in your issues! The writer recognises that true wisdom is found in the Law of the Lord. Recognising its wisdom requires consumption of it day and night otherwise other voices will come and drown out the wisdom it contains. The ones who discover the wealth of knowledge and wisdom contained in the Law of the Lord aren’t pushed around easily, they are planted deeply in the soil of the fields that God has planted them. In hard dry times, as well as plentiful times, they thrive. The opposite is therefore obviously true. Those who don’t consume the Law of the Lord and would rather listen to the multitude of voices offering their own perspective are like tree’s that are constantly being uprooted and transplanted into “better prospective fields” disallowing their roots to ever grow deeply into the soil and therefore always struggling to survive and never appear to produce the fruit they have the potential to grow.

 

Application

The grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence. But is it? I once lived in a small, isolated country area where only a handful of other families lived. As I grew older I had dreams of living in the city as I was certain that I was missing the opportunities that city kids were getting at my age. I couldn’t get a part time job – there were no shops or businesses within the area, I couldn’t easily play sport in a team – the nearest team was miles away. Years later I look back at those times as the happiest of my life. The attractions of the city were great to start with but when it all normalised – I dreamt of the country town again. Life is like that unless I accept the attitude of the psalmist and put down my roots and find joy in the field that God has planted me. It is right there that I will produce the harvest that was destined for me, it is right there that I know where to find the “secret places” when times are dry. It’s right there that I will succeed. Because that is where the Lord planted me and unless he changes my address I am called to grow – right there.

 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this anonymous psalmist who penned these wise words so long ago under your inspiration. These words are like dew on my spirit today.

 

Jim Jung